HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.802 2018-2020 Murashige, Laura
From: David <david.f@fukubonsai.com>
Sent: Wednesday,January 08, 2020 8:32 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: hfnajudy@gmail.com; gpn@greenpointnursery.com; david.f@fukubonsai.com
Subject: In support of the veto of Hawaii County Bill 101
Attachments: In support of the veto of Hawaii County Bill 101.Jan 8, 2020.pdf
Aaron Chung, chair, Hawaii County Council and members of the council
Attached testimony in support of Mayor Kim's veto of Bill 101 relating to Herbicide
Use. Please support his veto and refrain from creating similar onerous regulations.
David W. Fukumoto, president &founder, Fuku-Bonsai Inc.
FUKU-BONSAI CULTURAL CENTER
PO Box 6000 (17-856 Olaa Road), Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
Phone (808) 982-9880; Email david,f@fukubonsai.corn; URL: www.fukubonsai.com
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FUKU-BONSAI CULTURAL CENTER
Co-sponsored by a Hawaiian corporation with a certified export bonsai /.` X
nursery,who underwrites expenses,and acts like a"B-Corp;"and 501(3)(c)Mid- '
Pacific Bonsai Foundation whose volunteers assist with the exhibits, grounds, -
J„ala)sI' and educational activities. Both are committed to "Making the Big Island ofr )
Hawaii an International Bonsai Mecca”to benefit bonsai, our visitor industry,
and Hawaii.
PO Box 6000(17-856 Olaa Rd.),Kurtistown,Hawaii 96760. www.fukubonsai.corn
January 8, 2020
Mr. Aaron Chung,
Chairman of the Hawai'i County Council and its Members
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720 VIA EMAIL: counciltestimon hawaiicOo . ov
Dear Chair Chung and Members of the Council,
RE: Mayor's veto of Bill 101 relating to Herbicide Use
As president of Fuku-Bonsai Inc., who serves as the host to make the Fuku-
Bonsai Cultural Center open to visitors from throughout the world, I strongly support
Mayor Kim's veto of Bill 101 relating to herbicide use. As pointed out in the mayor's veto
communication, there are major flaws and an inherent weakness in the Hawaii County
Council presuming that they are more competent or knowledgeable than the State and/or
Federal government which has over-riding jurisdiction over this area of regulation.
It is not appropriate for Hawaii County Council to add a very questionable
additional layer of regulation that can become a mayor step that will greatly increase costs
or result in withholding of services or shutting down public and eventually private facilities
and businesses.
The Puna district has a very high rainfall that promotes vegetation. That's
good and bad as the lush tropical gardens attract visitors and provide the basis of our
visitor industry and related agricultural businesses like Fuku-Bonsai. While the bill would
impact County facilities, it will clearly raise costs and deny usage and access and be a
step toward more onerous regulation efforts to unduly regulate and raise costs for the
private sector. This is a terrible action for the County Council and similar efforts should
be avoided in the future. Please call me at(808) 982-9880 if you would like to discuss this
further. Please support Mayor Kim's veto.
Sincerely,
/s/ David W. Fukumoto, president
Fuku-Bonsai Inc.
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